IMPACT OF PRODUCTS OF A FERRONICKEL SMELTING PLANT TO THE MARINE BENTHIC LIFE

The determination of heavy metal concentrations in the tissues of biot a is an accurate method to estimate the abundance and the bioavailabil ity of metals in the marine environment. The concentration of Fe, Cr, Cu and Zn were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in moll uscs, algae and angiosperms from a marine area adjacent to a ferronick el smelting plant (situated at North Evoikos Gulf, Greece), in order t o investigate the spatial distribution of metals along the coast and t heir impact on marine benthic Life. Results showed higher levels of Fe and Cr in biota from the sampling sites situated near the smelting pl ant or the dumping site of the metalliferous slag in contrast with the obviously lower levels of the more distant sites. Molluscs showed gen erally higher concentrations of Fe and Cr in their tissues than plants . Cu and Zn were distributed quite uniformely in the tissues of the st udied species. Furthermore the concentration of Fe and Cr in mussels c ollected from two localities at Evoikos Gulf and kept in clear seawate r under experimental conditions decreased by almost 50% in comparison to their initial concentration within 18-48 hours of detoxification. ( C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.